“He knew when to write things down.” Hale set the pen on the counter, lined up with the edge of his notebook.

Miller turned to me.

“Captain, you’re a guest in this county.

Your leave orders can be reviewed.

Your wife’s medical file is still a county file until a judge says otherwise.”

I put my hands in my coat pockets so he wouldn’t see them.

“My leave orders are federal.”

“Everything is federal until the paperwork gets lost.” Miller straightened his tie.